How to monitor broadband activity?

[WhiteD3]

Hi,

I've got a Belkin 4 port wireless-G router/modem connected on ADSL2+. Connected to it via hardwiring are 3 PCs and a printer. Via wireless is my work laptop, a Nintendo Wii (wireless) and every now and again 2 x Nintendo DS'.

Wireless security is WEP as this is what the Nintendo products use.

My question is, how can I monitor on my PC (hardwired to the router) incoming and outgoing usage (in real time and log) on the ADSL port of the router?

My reason is that I want an idea of what (and when) my kids are up to.

Cheers.

[Sandtoyz]

AFAIK

Your ISP should be able to supply you with a broadband usage metering tool.

The only way I understand you can do it from your end is,
a/ if your modem/router has this feature built into it, and can log usage.
b/ you need a dedicated pc between your adsl connection and your internal network, (including wireless), that logs all traffic passing through it.
- This pc would need two network cards, one connected to a adsl mdem, one connected to your network router/switch,
and it becomes your gateway machine. (It could then also be a firewall machine, etc).

But as your adsl modem is a combination modem/router you can't do this method.

edit,
I just re-read your question.
Did you need total monitoring, or just one pc monitored?
There is software that can monitor pc usage, ie programs used, webs sites visited etc.
(but I don't use any, so don't know what they are called)


If I'm mistaken, others more knowledgeable can correct me!

[shorty943]

AFAIK

Your ISP should be able to supply you with a broadband usage metering tool.

The only way I understand you can do it from your end is,
a/ if your modem/router has this feature built into it, and can log usage.
b/ you need a dedicated pc between your adsl connection and your internal network, (including wireless), that logs all traffic passing through it.
- This pc would need two network cards, one connected to a adsl mdem, one connected to your network router/switch,
and it becomes your gateway machine. (It could then also be a firewall machine, etc).

But as your adsl modem is a combination modem/router you can't do this method.

If I'm mistaken, others more knowledgeable can correct me!



My ISP, Internode, supply a Monthly Usage Monitor (mum.exe :D) this runs as a background task on my main machine. I assume yours would too.
As for monitoring the kids. Good luck. They know how to get around PG tools anyway, the little pirates.:twisted::D:D

Or, as above, with the same reservations.
It truly is getting to a point, these days, when a busy modern home almost does need a small server. A Linux run server.
That old P3 machine in the garage will do the job.

[WhiteD3]

My ISP, Internode, supply a Monthly Usage Monitor (mum.exe :D) this runs as a background task on my main machine. I assume yours would too.
As for monitoring the kids. Good luck. They know how to get around PG tools anyway, the little pirates.:twisted::D:D

Or, as above, with the same reservations.
It truly is getting to a point, these days, when a busy modern home almost does need a small server. A Linux run server.
That old P3 machine in the garage will do the job.

Shorty943,

My ISP has a usage meter but its not live and doesn't give any other detail other than MB download remaining on the plan.

Using a server sounds extreme but I've probably got the bits to make one, but not the brain cells to actually do it.

[Xavie]

Sounds just like searching their bedroom, lol.

[awabbit6]

I have an old P300 box that I use as a Firewall. I run Endian Firewall (http://www.endian.com/en/community/about/) on it. It is a free firewall that is essssentially a special build of Linux with the required packages etc. It is driven via a web interface from your PC. Once it is set-up, it can sit under a desk with no monitor, keyboard or mouse.
More specific to your requirements, it logs everything!. Not only does it log, but it has parental filters, antivirus, spam filtering, acts as a DHCP server .... the list goes on. It is a great little package - and FREE.
Not only can you monitor via the logs, but you can also assign users specific access at certain times, specify maximum download sizes and time resictions. (I don't use any of these features ... yet)
To top it all off, it is easy to install and setup. Just boot from the burned CD and answer the questions. I did an upgrade of mine to the latest version yesterday afternoon. Installation took around 15mins and another 30mins to configure.
In terms of hardware, it will run on just about anything that you haven't thrown out yet. Just have to have at least 2 network cards.

The only downside is it may turn you into a internet usage nazi!

If you have the hardware, I can help you build it.

Hope this helps:D

[shorty943]

I have an old P300 box that I use as a Firewall. I run Endian Firewall (http://www.endian.com/en/community/about/) on it. It is a free firewall that is essssentially a special build of Linux with the required packages etc. It is driven via a web interface from your PC. Once it is set-up, it can sit under a desk with no monitor, keyboard or mouse.
More specific to your requirements, it logs everything!. Not only does it log, but it has parental filters, antivirus, spam filtering, acts as a DHCP server .... the list goes on. It is a great little package - and FREE.
Not only can you monitor via the logs, but you can also assign users specific access at certain times, specify maximum download sizes and time resictions. (I don't use any of these features ... yet)
To top it all off, it is easy to install and setup. Just boot from the burned CD and answer the questions. I did an upgrade of mine to the latest version yesterday afternoon. Installation took around 15mins and another 30mins to configure.
In terms of hardware, it will run on just about anything that you haven't thrown out yet. Just have to have at least 2 network cards.

The only downside is it may turn you into a internet usage nazi!

If you have the hardware, I can help you build it.

Hope this helps:D


I use a bootable live CD of a Linux based system called Smoothwall.

No bootable hard drive required, just a CD-ROM. The entire OS and all server systems and tools at almost MilSpec level, on a non-hackable, ordinary CD-r.
Any configuration files, logs etc, are written to a Floppy or a small old USB key, or even that old 30 meg disk in the cupboard will do.
It needs 2 network cards. One it calls Green, is inside and secure. The other is Red, and is the great big scary real world.

And it will run on a machine as dated as a 386. Better on a 486 of course.:D

[incisor]

love it..

paranoia central....

[waynep]

I guess that's one of the FEW advantages of Telstra Bigpond then - they have an online meter showing daily and monthly usage.

[moose]

Try NicMeter. It's a free usage monitor. NicMeter (http://www.nicmeter.com/)

[WhiteD3]

Now that looks the ticket. Thanks Moose.